Automatic cement-brick machine.



PATENTED DEG.11, 19-06.

I B. w. LEGGETT. AUTOMATIC CEMENT BRICK MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOK FILED 115129, 1906.

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i w W w 8 wane/30% 0 THE NORRIS PETERS ca., WASHIN PATENTED DEC. 11, 19062 B. w. LBGGETTQ AUTOMATIC GEMENT BRICK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1906.

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PATENTED DEC. 11, 1906.

B. W. LEGGBTT.

AUTOMATIC CEMENT BRICK MAOHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1906.

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PATENT orrron.

BENJAMIN W. LEGGETT, OF EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC CEMENT-BRICK MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed May 29,1906. Serial No. 319,315.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN W. LEG- GETT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Eaton Rapids, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Cement-Brick Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in plastic-block machines, and it particularly comprises a machine embodying a means for feeding and compressing plastic material, a separable mold, and a block-ejector.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide in connection with a machine of the above type a novel construction designed to eliminate the clogging of the mold and the feed-hopper by providing passages through which loose gravel in extraneous particles gravitates.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a construction embodying the features above set forth which shall operate in conjunction with one another at relative periods in the formation of the brick. It is a further object to provide simple and effective means for effecting an action of the several parts in their cooperative relation in which power-wasting transmissions are eliminated and in which the power for operating the various elements is directly transmitted through a single positively-actuated element. It is a further object to provide a novel automatically opening and .closing mold and ejecting device operating therein.

The detailed construction will appear in the course of the following description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

like numerals designating like parts throughout the several views, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the mold and ejecting device, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the movable front and side wall of the mold and the operating connections therefor.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I employ a rectangular supporting frame 1, which on one side is constituted of an extended bed 2, formed of a plurality of longitudinal beams 3, arrangedin spaced paring elements of the machine.

allel relation, whereby passages 4 are afforded by the spaces between the beams for the egress of gravel and extraneous particles therethrough from the Working parts of the apparatus supported upon the extended side 2. The beams 3 are maintained in the relation above set forth by transverse connectingbolts provided with separating disks or washers 5. The frame 1 is provided at its rear end with a pair of vertical parallel posts 6 and with a post 7, supported upon the bed 2 and of less height than the posts 6. The posts 6 and 7 serve to support the driving elements of the apparatus and are disposed in alinem ent. J ournaled in the upper parts of the post 7 is a transverse shaft 8, which is driven from a pulley 9, carried upon the projecting end of the shaft 8, which is broken away in Fig. 1 to render the view more clear. A transverse shaft 10 is journaled in the lower parts of the posts 6 and 7 and is provided between the post 7 and the adjacent post 6 with a crank-arm 11. Mounted upon the shaft 10 is a pinion 12, which meshes with a smaller pinion 13, carried upon the shaft 8. A pulley 14 is mounted upon the shaft 10 and is provided with a cam or serpentine rib 15, comprising dwells 16 and 17, located on each side of the pulley 14 and connected by diagonal webs 18. The pulley 14 is adjustably positioned upon the shaft 10 by virtue of a setscrew 19, threaded through an integral collar 20 and frictionally engaging the shaft 10.

A casting 21 is supported upon the bed 2 forwardly of the crank-arm 11 and serves as a support and as a component part of the work- The casting 21 is formed in its rear portion with a substantially U-shaped runway 22, extending beneath the feed-chamber and the mold. A plunger 23, which. in connection with its other functions serves as a compressor for the plastic material, is reciprocated in the runway 22 and to this end has connection by a pitman 24 with the crank-arm 11. The casting 21 is provided approximately central thereof with a substantially rectangular open-ended delivery-chute 25, communicating at its lower end with the runway 22 andat its upper end with a hopper 26. The plunger 23 in its movement through the runway 22 serves as a cut-off for checking the flow of material from the chute 25. The material in said chute is thoroughly mixed by an agitator embodying a revolving shaft 27, transversely journaled in the walls of the chute 25 and driven from a pulley 28, which in turn is driven by a crossed belt 29 from a pulley 30, carried upon the shaft 8. The shaft 27 is transversely adjustable in its bearings by virtue of a retaining-collar 31, disposed exteriorly of the chute 25 and held upon said shaft by a set-screw 32. Agitating-arms 33 are arranged in spiral or staggered relation u on the shaft 27 within the chute 25 and in t e revolving movement of said shaft serve to thoroughly mix the material and to maintain it at the proper consistency for the formation of the brick. The runway 22 is provided with a closed top 34 forwardly of the chute 25, to which is hinged, as at 35, a mold-top 36,normally supported in a slightly-elevated position by a leaf-spring 37, mounted in a recess provided therefor in the top 34 and bearing against the straps 38 of the hinge connection 35. The top 36 forms one element 01 a separable mold, which is provided with a stationary end wall 39, extending forwardly from the chute 25.

In the formation of a brick the plunger 23 forms one of the movable side walls of the mold, the bed 2 forms the base of the mold, and an L-shaped casting 40 is provided to form the side of the mold. The casting 40'is provided with an angular end 41, which is disposed in opposed relation to the wall 39. The casting 40 is provided with an overhanging lug 42, designed to engage the top 36 and hold the same upon the brick against the tension of the spring 37. The casting 40 is moved to form and disassemble the mold, and to this end is carried by a lever 43, having a swinging movement upon a pivotal connection 44 with a stationary object, as an outstanding post 45. The end of the lever 43 adjacent the casting 40 has pivotal connection, as at 46, with one element 47 of a air of toggle-links, the other of said links 48 being fulcrumed, as at 49, to a stationary support, as a post 50. The links 47 and 48 have ivotal connection with one another and with an actuating-link 51 by a common fulcrum 52, and said links 47 and 48 are formed at their inner ends with straight edges 53, adapted to abut one another when the links are spread apart or in alined position, and thereby restrict the movement thereof. The link 51 has pivotal connection at its other end, as at 54, with the end of a lever 55, fulcrumed off center, as at 56, to a stationary support 57. The other end of the lever 55 carries a swinging nut 58, which is provided with parallel vertical posts 59, between which the cam-rib 15 of the wheel 14 is received. Suitable rollers may be mounted upon the osts 59, if desired, to compensate the friction.

The runway 2 is interrupted adjacent the above-described mold, so that an open space occurs between the bed 2 and the frame 1 of the support and the end walls 39 and 41 and plunger 23 of the mold. A chute 61 is mounted adjacent to the mold and is formed with a rearwardly extending runway 62. The chute 61 is supported above the frame 1, so that a space 63 occurs beneath said chute which is in alinement with and communicates with the space 60 of the mold. The chute 61 is formed with a cut-away portion 64 in the side wall thereof to permit of the ready insertion of pallets 65, one of which is designed to rest in the space 63 in the path of a plunger 66, having reciprocating movement in the runway 62. The plunger 66 is provided at its rear end with a pin 67, by which said plun ger has loose pivotal connection with the bifurcated end 68 of a bell-crank lever 69, fulcrumed, as at 70, at the junction of its legs to a stationary object 71. The lever 69 has similar pivotal connection at its other bifurcated end 72 with a pin 73, carried upon the rear end of the plunger 23.

A hinged gate 74 is horizontally pivoted at its lower end in the walls of the runway 22, as at 75. The floor of said runway is cut away, as at 76, to permit the gate 74 to fold down flush therewith when positively engaged by the material in the chute 25 under the pressure of the plunger 23, to allow of the passage thereby of said plunger and said material.

Means are provided for restoring the gate to its normal vertical position, as shown by the dotted lines 77 of Fig. 3, comprising a lever 78, fulcrumed, as at 79, eXteriorly of the runway 22 and having connection at its upper end with a retractile coil-spring 80, the free end of which is connected to a stationary pin 81, carried by the wall of the runway 22. The swinging movement of the lever 78 in restoring the gate to normal position is restricted by a pin 82.

A table 83 is supported adjacent the mold and flush with the bed 2 and is designed for the reception of one of the pallets in its passage through the space 60. An adjustable gate 84, provided with an adjustingscrew 85, threaded through one of the walls of the chute 25, is employed for varying the dimensions of the throat of said chute, and hence regulating the degree of material admitted therethrough. Another adjunct toward the convenience and practicability of the machine resides in the provision of a leafspring 86, one end of which is secured to the support 45 and the other end of which bears against the lever 43 and compensates for vibration and facilitates in the restoration of said lever to its closed position after each disassemblage of the mold. In lieu of the pulley 9 for transmitting power to the machine a hand-crank 87, as shown in Fig. 3, may be em loyed.

n operation it is assumed that the parts are in the position in Fig. 3. Plastic material in the proper degree of consistency is introduced into the hopper 26, from whence it egresses into the chute 25. As shown in the IIO drawings, the plunger 23 has projected an amount of said material through the runway 22, the gate 74 folding flush with the floor of said runway. When the plunger 23 has been moved to the position illustrated, the dwell 17 of the cam will engage between the posts 59 of the lever 55- and swing said. lever or, to be more exact, will maintain said lever in its rearmost position, in which the toggledwell 16, at which time the toggle-links 47and 48 will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the casting 40 and end wall 41 will be disassembled by the swinging movement of the lever 43 under the action of said togglelinks. As the plunger 23 moves to its rearmost position the spring 80 will act to close the gate 7 4, whereby a regulated supply of material will be admitted into the runway 2 in the path of said plunger. Rearward movement of the plunger 23 swings the bell-crank lever 69 upon its fulcrum 7 O and reciprocates the follower 66 toward the chute 61. In this operation said follower will engage the lowermost pallet and will move the same forwardly. The pallet thus moved will engage the pallet 65 in the mold and supporting the block 88, thereby ejecting said pallet and said block from the mold through the space 60 and upon the table 83, from whence the block is removed by any approved means. Upon the forward movement of the plunger 23 the material in the chute 25 is cut off from the runway 22 and the gate 74 depressed in the manner above set forth. The operation herein described is continued ad infinitum.

It is to be noted that the runway is recessed in its rear portion, as at 89, to allow of the movement of the piston.

While the elements herein shown and de scribed are well adapted to serve the functions set forth, it is obvious that various minor changes may be made within the proportions, shape, and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, I claim 1. A block-forming machine comprising an inclosed runway, a mold at one end of said runway and communicating therewith, a delivery-chute communicating with said runway and adapted to feed material thereto, a

plunger having movement in said runway and adapted to control communication between said chute and said runway, and means interposed in said runway between its points of communication with said chute and said mold for regulating the amount of material admitted to said runway from said chute.

2. A block-forming machine comprising an inclosed runway, a mold at one end of said runway and communicating therewith, a delivery-chute communicating with said runway and adapted to feed material thereto, a plunger having movement in said runway and adapted to control communication between said chute and said runway, a pivotal gate in said runway disposed forwardly of said chute, said runway having its floor recessed to receive said gate, said. gate being swung downwardly on its pivot by said plunger in its forward movement and a spring for restoring said gate to initial position upon rearward movement of said plunger.

8. A block-forming machine comprising a runway, a mold communicating therewith, a plunger movable in said runway and operating in said mold, and means for successively feeding a pallet to said mold upon the movement of said plunger in'a selected direction.

4. A block-forming machine comprising a runway, a mold communicating therewith, a plunger movable in said runway and operating in said mold, a pallet-chute communicating with said mold, and means operated by said plunger in its travel in a selected direction for successively feeding a pallet to said mold from said chute.

5. A block-forming machine comprising an inclosed runway, a mold at one end of said runway and communicatingtherewith, a de livery-chute communicating with said runway and adapted to feed material thereto, a plunger having movement in said runway and adapted to control communication between said chute and said runway, a movable gate in said runway and located in the path of said plunger and designed to be actuated thereby, and means for restoring said gate to initial position.

6. A block-forming machine comprising an inclosed runway, a mold at one end of said runway and communicating therewith, a de livery-chute communicating with said runway and adapted to feed material thereto, a movable gate disposed adjacent to the point of communication, a plunger having movement in said runway and designed to force material into said mold, said plunger serving to interrupt communication of said chute with said runway upon its forward move ment and to establish communication therebetween upon its rearward movement and means for opening and closing said gate with respect to said runway upon the forward and rearward movement of said plunger.

7. A block-forming machine comprising an inclosed runway, means for delivering material to said runway, a plunger movable in said runway, a mold communicating with said runway, said mold being formed with separable sides, means for assembling said sides upon the movement of the plunger in one direction and for disassembling said sides upon the movement of the plunger in an op posite direction, and means for successively feeding'a pallet to said mold. upon the movement of the plunger in a selected direction, said pallets being designed to successively engage one another as fed to eject the preceding pallet from the mold.

8. A block-molding machine embodying a mold, a reciprocating plunger adapted to .feed material thereto and a supporting-bed formed of closely-associated beams extending in the direction of longitudinal movement of said plunger.

9. A block-forming machine comprising a runway, a mold communicating therewith, a plunger movable in said runway and adapted in a selected position to form one of the sides of said mold, said mold having separable walls independent of said plunger, and means controlled by said plunger in its movements in respective directions for moving said separable walls toward and away from said mold, the movement of said separable walls being in the same plane as the movement of said plunger.

10. A block-forming machine comprising a runway, a mold communicating therewith, a plunger movable in said runway and adapted in a selected position to form one of the sides of said mold, a pivoted member forming the opposing side of said mold and adapted to have movement with relation thereto in the same plane as said plunger and operative connections between said plunger and said pivoted member whereby movement of the former in either direction will be transmitted to the latter in a corresponding direction with 0 relation to said mold.

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN W. LEGGETT.

Witnesses:

GEO. D. RUsHToN, JAMEs RUsHToN. 

